Florida will open the preseason in the USA TODAY coaches poll in the same spot it ended last year.

The Gators are ranked No. 10 in the coaches poll released today - one of five SEC teams ranked among the Top 10.

The SEC had six teams in the top 25, followed by the Big Ten and Pac 12 with five each, the Big 12 with four, the ACC with two, the American and Mountain West with one each.

Defending national champion Alabama was a near unanimous No. 1 pick, earning 58 of 62 first place votes. Other SEC teams joining Alabama and Florida in the top 10 are Georgia (5), Texas A&M (6) and South Carolina (7).

The Gators will play four teams ranked in the preseason top 25: Georgia, South Carolina LSU (13) and Florida State (12).

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Florida Gators fans, welcome to the Gator Report for all your news about Gators football, basketball and all UF sports. It's written by University of Florida beat writer Antonya English and the staff of the Tampa Bay Times. We invite your comments and participation.